Who's next for the Brandywell hot seat? The main runners and riders

With Paul Hegarty taking charge at Derry City until the end of the current season, the board at the Brandywell have time on their hands before appointing Peter Hutton’s successor.

Despite the low playing budget and dwindling attendances, the job remains one of the biggest in Irish football and there is no shortage of prospective candidates.

They will be looking for a man who can tap into the undoubted potential of a club who have their pick of the best young players in the North West of Ireland.

So who are the main contenders and, more importantly, can they be lured to the Lone Moor Road hot seat?

Darren Kelly

The 36 year old is currently the city’s highest profile manager and it just so happens he is available for work after his sacking from Oldham Athletic at the weekend.

As a distinguished former player he would be welcomed back by supporter and his period as Academy Coach at Sunderland means he would be well placed to integrate the club’s talented underage players into the first team.

Kelly has been living across the water since 2007, it would be a big move for him to relocate his family to his home town, and his preference may be to remain in the English Football League.

Ollie Horgan

A football man to the back teeth, Horgan built his coaching reputation with Fanad United, where he won three Ulster Senior League titles before taking over as Finn Harps boss at the start of last season.

The Galway native boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of players of all levels in the North West area and after guiding Harps to the brink of promotion he is now proven at League of Ireland level.

Horgan works full time as a PE teacher at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny but if the club would allow him to double job he would give the role his all.

Stephen Kenny

Widely regarded as the top manager in the Irish game, the Dubliner’s proven pedigree during his two spells at the club means fans could dare to dream again if they found the funds to finance his return.

The current board may not be comfortable with appointing a man who twice walked away from the club but it would be an opportunity to correct the premature sacking of Declan Devine and subsequent appointment of Roddy Collins.

Kenny still lives locally where his family are well settled in Inishowen but it would be a big wrench for him to leave Dundalk where he is on the brink of retaining the league title.

John Quigg

Given his outstanding record with the club’s reserves and underage sides, it is a surprise to many at grass roots level that Quigg’s name is not more regularly mentioned as a prospective candidate.

A proven winner, his cv includes a League of Ireland 'A' Championship, an Ulster Senior League title and a Northern Division win with the U19s and his record of preparing young players for the first team and beyond is nothing short of outstanding.

Finn Harps have reaped the benefits from elevating an experienced coach from intermediate football and if Quigg could come to an arrangement with his council employers he is a more than viable option.

Paul Hegarty

The interim incumbent has six games to save the club's Premier Division status and, if successful, he would be in a strong position to take the role on a permanent basis.

A strong motivator, most observers have already seen an improvement in the team's work rate since he came on board as Peter Hutton's assistant in the summer. He has also enjoyed notable success as a manager in gaining promotion with Finn Harps.

Although he does not possess the relevant coaching badges, there would be time during the close season for him to get up to speed or bring in a joint manager who is UEFA qualified.

Tommy Breslin

The former Cliftonville boss has overseen the most successful period in the North Belfast club's history, winning eight trophies in four years, including two Premiership titles.

A mixed start to their Irish League campaign led to his shock resignation earlier this week, despite strenuous efforts by the club to change his mind.

A strong Irish League record doesn't necessarily equate to League of Ireland success, as Roy Coyle will testify, but Breslin is certainly worth a punt if available.